5 Home Office Design Ideas for an Inspirational Work Space

Since lockdown, many of us have been forced to stay at home and create a temporary home office. While some of us are now ready to return to the workplace, others are contemplating making working from home (WFH) a more permanent arrangement. If this is you, then read on for tips on how to design an inspirational home office that’s primed for productivity.

Covering everything from decluttering and creating ‘zones’ to colour schemes and finishing touches, with our tips, your new home office will make it easier to switch into work mode and let the creative juices flow. 

Declutter your space

While it may seem obvious, decluttering your desk is a great way to improve focus. In busy periods, it’s easy to clutter this space with unnecessary papers and pens, which can make looking for that one particular note more stressful than it needs to be! 

This is where office storage holds the key to keeping your desk organised to maximise productivity. Whether you opt for in-desk drawers or a stylish shelving unit to keep things neat and tidy, be sure to store all items which may distract you away from your desk. This includes any items such as extra books, lukewarm coffee or even lunch which may detract from your focus. 

In terms of the overall space, it pays to keep furniture to a minimum. We’re talking a desk or table, a comfy desk chair and some form of storage. This will ensure the overall flow and feel of the room is functional with fewer distractions.

If you find yourself in need of a breakout area for brainstorming or just a retreat from your desk during gruelling tasks, add a lounging chair and cushions into the mix. The key here is to position them away from your usual working area to create distinction between the two zones.

Add a personal touch

Adding a personal touch to your home office is an effective way to make it a more welcoming and inspiring space. An easy way to do this is to display a photo frame or two, whether it’s a wedding photo or a group shot with friends. 

Alternatively, if you’re feeling creative, get crafty by designing your own personalised notice board. Designs which are particularly on trend at the moment include metal grids with pegs to hang everything from photographs to important documents. Or why not create your own write-on wall using chalk paint for a fun and functional feature wall?

To create an inspirational workspace, it’s all about making the space as homely and cohesive as possible. Using artwork, pictures or even the odd motivational quote, pick accessories that will help you feel focused and motivated on a daily basis, making sure they complement the overall decor theme. 

Use colour to promote creativity

Speaking of colours, when you’re designing your own home office you can go as big and bold as you want. Colour can have a direct impact on our emotions, so picking colours for your office that inspire creativity can be a great way to boost your productivity when WFH. 

If you’re more of a cool, calm and collected type, then pastel colours, pales blues and neutral hues could be the way to go. Evoking a sense of tranquility, having a soft palette will help you to remain focused and calm even on those extra busy days. You can always use accessories to add small pops of colour.

On the other end of the scale, opting for vibrant yellow, red, royal blue or even a bold wallpaper print could be just what your office needs to get you energised for each working day. Bold monochromatic colours schemes are bang on-trend right now and can be beautifully toned down with complementary colours and different textures. 

Define work and home zones

Whether you have a dedicated room away from the busy household or you’re adapting part of an open-plan area into your home office, it’s essential to create boundaries between your home and work life. 

One way to do this is using different flooring or wall designs to separate the areas. For instance, if you’ve carved out a home office in a corner of your living room or an alcove under the stairs, use some shiny white InMetro tiles on the wall to add depth and definition. Alternatively, use patterned floor tiles in your home office or work area to subtly differentiate between the two zones.

You can even use a combination of colours and textures within your workspace to create specific ‘work’ zones – helping you to stay focused on the particular task at hand.

Don’t forget the finishing touches

When it comes to completing the design of your WFH space, don’t overlook the importance of the finishing touches that will transform the space from bland and sterile to inspirational. 

One of these small details is lighting. A well lit work area is fundamental to keeping up your productivity levels when working at home. So, if your chosen work area isn’t blessed with an abundance of natural light, then let artificial lighting do the job for you. From stylish pendant lights to funky floor and desk lamps, be sure to bathe your workspace in light, even when the sun’s shining outside.

Secondly, embrace the beauty of greenery. Not only do indoor plants enhance the aesthetic by adding texture and colour, they’re also known for their air-purifying properties, as well as being thought to boost concentration and reduce stress. This makes them a must-have for home offices. 

Creating the right WFH space is essential to maintaining your productivity day to day, and with the above tips we hope you’ll have everything you need to create an inspirational space that strikes the right balance between fun and functional.

If you’re ready to get started on designing your own stylish work from home space, take a look at our extensive choice of beautiful wall tiles and fabulous floor tiles online now. And if you spot a tile design you like, but want to see it in situ before buying in bulk, you can order a small tile cut sample online from as little as £1.99.